Learn to Ski… or Snowboard. Which one is for me?
A common question for those who are considering learning to ski or snowboard… which should I try first? The answer is as unique as snowflakes… or personalities. Here are few things to consider before you decide to learn to ski or ride. Skiing…- Need for speed: For those inclined to forego the breaks down the slopes, physics point to a skier of the same ability as a boarder, nosing-out the boarder nearly every time.
- Yard sale blues: Taking a bad spill on skis can be a lot messier and more difficult to clean up when each of your skis and poles fly about in different directions.
- Fancy free feet: For those unaccustomed to having their feet planted and locked into one position, side-by-side, skiing might be more comfortable.
- Up and at 'em: Skiers are able to get right off the lift and go, with no need to reattach bindings to boots.
- Sitting pretty: Snowboarders end up sitting down a lot on the slopes - after getting off the lift, to prep their bindings, or to take a break from trying to remain on edge while not riding. Without poles, it's tougher to stand still upright for long.
- Powder perfect: Leaving the ice and bumps to skiers, a snowboard is a heavenly man-made carpet ride over deep powder, although more and more skis are made to fly over powder as well.
- Ouch!: Wrist injuries are more common while riding (falling) than while skiing, so be sure to wear wrist guards. However, boarding can be a bit kinder on the knees.
- No fun on the flats: With no ski poles to help push you along, a boarder must resort to a lot of hopping and dragging to get beyond stretches of flat terrain.
